We're excited to share the latest updates from our current programme as well as other news from around the county. It’s been a particularly productive summer for the theatre team, and definitely the busiest ever.
We Chilled On The Hill
CHILL ON THE HILL happened on Sunday 31st August! Despite a few weather challenges (wind, not rain this year) the event was hugely successful with 1,000+ people enjoying the performances and produce of Somerset-based artists and food producers.
We commissioned David Reakes to create a poem during the course of the day, which he performed towards the end of the event. We thought we’d share it here as it brilliantly encapsulates the day!
Chill On The Hill – How It all makes SENSE
It’s Chill On The Hill 25!
It makes you feel glad you’re alive
For one hundred pences
It tickles your senses
Not one of ‘em (oh no), but all five!
Our first sense is SIGHT. Alright?
See Cirque Du Silk float in full flight
Watch Stilt Walkers walking
And Tale Tellers talking
(Did the frog steal the water? Not quite!)
See the flower crowns go on parade
See the portraits and leaf prints get made
See snails have a race
They go at quite a pace
But they do leave a trail, I’m afraid
Our second sense has to be SOUND
Hear the Sounds Of The Streets all around
Squeeze a duck til it quacks
Bang a drum til it cracks
Squeak a pig, if you’re really profound
Hear the magical Rainbow Rider
And the Farmyard Circus provide a
Performance for you
Complete with kazoo
They really did all play a blinder
The next of our senses is TASTE
With lush food all over the place
Laura’s cakes in your pocket
Pizza from a rocket
So tasty it won’t go to waste
Farmer Parsons could do you some lunch
Or the Lentilist something to munch
And it’s not a sin
Buying some flavoured Gin
From Utazo Spirits – quite a bunch
Sense number four is SMELL
Which can conjure a nostalgic spell
Of old leather gloves
And more stuff that we love
Like pebbles and paint pens as well
The final sense, I can reveal
Is the one that can make us all FEEL
Do we feel more rich
As we Chill, Chat And Stitch
As we eat that delicious meal?
When we gather like this we all strive
To make ourselves feel more alive
As we all Cultivate
More love and less hate
As we Chill On The Hill 25!
Great Mead: A Beautiful Green Space In The Heart of Chard
Great Mead’s programme has been rolling out all summer. If you’re not aware, Great Mead is a pilot project transforming 6.4 acres of underused land in central Chard into a vibrant, inclusive space for nature, creativity, and community.
Launched in March 2025, the project invites everyone to connect with the land and each other through events, wellbeing activities, and nature-based workshops.
Local partners - including Somerset Wildlife Trust, Take Art, Connect Somerset, Chard Town Council, Holyrood Academy, WATCH CIC and ARK at Egwood - are working together to co-create something special. The space features a stream, tall trees, and meadow-like areas that support biodiversity and offer a peaceful retreat.
Great Mead has had a very active couple of months of workshops and events. These all coalesce around piloting activity and exploring the potential for future development including: Act to Adapt (climate adaptation) workshops in partnership with Somerset Wildlife Trust; a Family Feast picnic as part of the Sustainable Food Somerset Food Trail; visual arts, willow weaving and botanical sun printing workshops; and early years outdoor summer activity, facilitated by Chard Community Hub.
On the horizon is the Great Mead Mini Fest on Saturday 20th September and a Learning and Dissemination Event on Wednesday 15th October.
To find out more about this programme, check out this page.
The Great Mead Pilot Project is one of ten European projects chosen for funding through the EU’s Connect New European Bauhaus programme, which supports sustainable, inclusive, and beautiful community projects. It is also supported by Somerset Community Foundation and the National Lottery Community Fund.
Supporting Young Creatives in Somerset
At the end of July, Take Art, Somerset Art Works and Somerset Film came together to host the Somerset Arts & Culture Diversity Forum, an event that focused on how best to support and nurture the creativity of young people across the county.
The event began with inspiring presentations from Selina Keedwell (Somerset Youth Theatre), Streetlinkz & Fuse Somerset Outdoor Arts, Aidan Steele and the Somerset Film Alumni, and Oliver Kirkham, the 2025 SAW Creative Pathways Bursary artist.
It was a fantastic opportunity to hear directly from young people, alongside the artists and organisations who champion their voices. We were also delighted to welcome Rachel de Garang from Arts Council England.
The day sparked lively and thoughtful discussions; sharing experiences, identifying the creative needs of Somerset’s young people, and exploring how we can respond. Topics ranged from life skills and wellbeing to creating clear pathways for those who want to pursue a career in the arts.
Opera That's A Bit Bonkers…
…but full of intelligence and heart!’
We’re delighted to share news that Somerset-based Pleasure Dome Theatre, in partnership with Somerset Opera and the Taunton Sinfonietta are presenting CESARE after Handel's masterpiece, Guilio Cesare.
Sung in English with a fresh libretto this outrageous production is delighting avid opera lovers and those new to the genre. Further tour dates in October include:
- Fri 17th Oct: Dunster Tithe Barn
- Sat 18th Oct: Queen’s Theatre, Barnstaple
- Wed 22nd Oct: McMillan Theatre, Bridgwater
- Sat 25th Oct: Barnfield Theatre, Exeter
Do support Pleasure Dome and experience world-class music with a distinctly Southwest twist!
Next Newsletter
As we can occasionally promote other events and opportunities, if you have something that you’d like to be included in the next mail-out (which will cover December 25 and January 26) please fill in this link with full details by 14 November 2025.
All good wishes,
Mark and Ruth
Take Art Theatre team